31 Easy And Effective Home Remedies For Dyspnoea

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay)
Dyspnoea – breathing difficulties can occur due to asthma, heart disorders, psychological issues such as anxiety, phobia and even in some cases of gastritis and bloating. Here are a few easy home remedies for dyspnoea. 

Black Coffee
A cup of black coffee is useful in alleviating shortness of breath. Caffeine present in coffee helps reduce respiratory muscle fatigue and improves airway functions. It may also reduce asthma symptoms
One has to take 1-2 cups of strong, black coffee to get relieved from shortness of breath and to have normal breathing back
Excess coffee is also not good. It may raise your heart rate and BP.

Steam Inhalation
Steam inhalation is a good option if breathlessness is due to a respiratory problem. It decongests the nasal passages and helps to breathe easily. The heat and moisture coming from the steam will help break up and dissolve the mucus. This dissolved and liquefied mucus will be easily eliminated from the system.

How to do?

• Heat the water on the stove
• Fill a bowl with hot water
• Add few drops of essential oil, such as eucalyptus or peppermint oil
• Place your face over the bowl
• Cover your head with a blanket or towel such that the bowl with hot water and your face are enveloped by the cloth
• Inhale the steam; keep taking deep breaths for several minutes
• Take care to close your eyes while doing this procedure
• Do this whenever you have nasal congestion
• Alternatively a facial sauna may be used

Ginger
Ginger is a time tested expectorant. It helps treat chest and nasal congestion. When the congestion is removed, the breathing naturally becomes normal and easy. Ginger also fights against throat and respiratory tract infection.
Ginger, Amla, Raisin And Honey Home Remedy For Asthma And Cough

How to take ginger for dyspnoea?
Ginger can be used to season or top foods, prepare soups or tea
Take 2-3 cups of ginger tea daily. For this, add 1 tsp freshly chopped fresh ginger to 2 cups of boiling water. Cover the simmer for 5-10 minutes. Strain and add a little honey. Sip the tea slowly.
Small pieces of ginger can be chewed. Ginger candies are also handy.
Read related: 28 Prevention And Lifestyle Tips For Dyspnoea

Beetroot
Beetroots are good for anaemia. Anaemia is one of the causes for dyspnoea. If your shortness of breath is due to anaemia caused by iron deficiency, beetroots will help to improve your condition. Beetroot has high iron content. It also comprises fibre, calcium, potassium and vitamins.

How to take?
Beetroot juice – Extract juice of 1 medium size beetroot, 3 carrots, handful of spinach and ½ sweet potatoes in a juicer. Drink it once in a day.
Alternatively, roast 1-2 beetroots along with their peels on the stove. Allow them to cool, peel and then eat them with salt and pepper.
Beetroot salad is also beneficial.

Fennel
Fennels are good remedies for dyspnoea. It is a good expectorant. It helps break up the phlegm and is useful in treating congestion, bronchitis and cough. Fennel is a rich source of iron. Thus it can be used in breathlessness caused by anaemia.
Fennel Tea – Add 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds to a cup of hot water. Cover and steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain the contents. Add raw honey. Drink this fennel tea 2-3 times a day.
Chewing – You can simply chew a spoonful of dry roasted fennel seeds.
Fennel Seed Health Benefits, Dose, How To Use – Ayurveda Details

Garlic
Garlic is an important immune-modulator and antioxidant. It maintains healthy blood circulation. The important active compound in garlic is the sulphur component called allicin. It is a very strong antibiotic. It helps the body to inhibit the ability of germs to grow and reproduce. It helps in relieving the constriction caused to the airways.

How to take?
Garlic juice – Crush few garlic pieces, make their juice, add 10-12 drops of garlic juice in warm water and drink once a day.
Garlic can be chewed (2-3 pieces) 2-3 times per day
Garlic juice ½ spoons should be taken with 1 spoon honey
Dyspnoea – Difficulty in breathing: Causes, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis

Chilli pepper (capsicum)
It acts as an anti-inflammatory medicine. It contains a substance called Capsaicin. It acts as a bronchodilator that stimulates the saliva and other fluids present in the mouth, nose, throat and lungs. It helps in decreasing the secretion of mucus and breaking down its formation as well.
It can be used in the diet and in the form of salads, curries etc.

Gooseberries
The fruits of gooseberry are rich in Vitamin C. They also have astringent, cooling and anti-oxidant effect. Vitamin C boosts up the immune system and reduces the severity and episodes of dyspnea.
Gooseberries help in reducing the inflammation of lungs owing to its anti-inflammatory properties.
How to use?
Amla powder ½ spoons mixed in 1 spoon honey, 2-3 times daily
Amla juice ½ – 1 spoons mixed in 1 spoon honey, 2-3 times daily
Note, in some people, taking amla may increase cold and cough. If you have experienced such a thing, then avoid amla.

Pomegranate juice
Pomegranates are powerful anti-inflammatory agents owing to rich content of ascorbic acid and flavonoides. It is helpful in difficulty in breathing. Pomegranate juice should be used for drinking on daily basis or alternative days.

Mullein
Being one of the best effective remedies for breathing difficulty, mullein is used as a respiratory tonic. It has good antispasmodic, antiseptic, antibiotic and expectorant properties. It is effective in breathlessness associated with asthma.
It promotes expulsion of mucus so as to clear the respiratory passages.

Cayenne Pepper Tea
Capsaicin, the active ingredient of cayenne pepper is good for respiratory and cardiovascular health. It is beneficial in curing the dyspnoea caused by heart or lung problem. It can be used in the form of cayenne tea.

Gingko Biloba
It is a good bronchodilator used in treatment of dyspnea (caused by asthma and other lung disorders). It dilates the blood vessels and improves blood circulation in the blood vessels. It can be consumed as Gingko tea.

Hyssop Tea
Hyssop herb clears the lungs off the phlegm and congestion. It keeps the lungs free from respiratory infections owing to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Hence it is useful in combating shortness of breath.

Hyssop herb can be consumed in the form of Hyssop tea. Care should be taken that this herb or its tea should be taken for short duration as it may cause toxicity.

Grindelia
It is an excellent antispasmodic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory herb. It helps clear the mucus from the bronchial passages.
Grindelia can be consumed in the form of Grindelia tea

Elecampane Tea
It is a good expectorant. Roots of Elecampane have highest medicinal value. Therefore its roots are used to prepare tea. Inulin is the active ingredient of Elecampane root which is highly effective in combating dyspnoea.

Wild Cherry Bark
It is a good expectorant, antiseptic, antitussive and sedative. It decreases the intensity of cough reflex, thereby facilitating increased respiration. It shall be used for short time as it may cause toxicity on long run. It can be consumed in the form of infusion.

Mustard Oil
This oil shall be used to massage over the chest and back areas of the person afflicted with dyspnoea. This helps in relieving the symptoms of breathlessness very effectively.

Figs
They are effective in improving the overall health of the lungs and respiratory passage. Regular consumption of figs prevents breathlessness. Figs should be soaked in water overnight. In the morning the soaked figs and water should be taken on empty stomach.

Eucalyptus oil
It is highly effective in relaxing the congested air passage and promotes breathing effectively. Few drops of eucalyptus should be added to hot water and the vapours coming from it should be inhaled for at least 15 minutes

Honey
Honey has decongestant properties that helps in facilitating the breathing properly and provides relief from breathlessness. Honey should be mixed in warm water and be consumed on daily basis.

Bitter Gourd
It is highly effective in breathlessness associated with asthma. The paste of biter gourd should be added with honey. Consume this paste 3-4 times in a day.

Onion
They have anti-inflammatory property and are highly useful for dyspnoea. Regular consumption of fresh onion juice helps in decongesting the blocked respiratory passage and provides relief from breathlessness.

Liquorice
It is highly effective in treating asthma and bronchitis. Some pieces of liquorice roots should be boiled in water, strained and this tea should be consumed 3-4 times in a day. It reduces shortness of breath.

Lemon juice
It has rich antioxidants. They are helpful in providing relief from asthma and bronchitis.

Mint leaves tea
Tea made from mint leaves is highly effective in asthma and bronchitis and reduces the dyspnoea caused by them. Regular consumption of tea prevents the attacks of breathlessness.

Boswellia
It is highly useful in dyspnoea caused by asthma.

Holy Basil –
Tulasi or Holy Basil and its tea, when taken on regular basis will keep the respiratory airways free from mucus and free from inflammation and infections

Turmeric –
It has powerful anti-inflammatory and warming action. It can remove bacterial and viral infections and can clear the excess mucus from the respiratory tract.
How to take?
Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder into a glass of hot milk and drink at bedtime
|Mix ½ – 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in 1 spoon honey and take it once or twice a day
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